Seed to Storefront

Small businesses are the heart of thriving communities.

Seed to Storefront is a collaboration of leading D.C. nonprofit organizations, the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF), D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center, Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) and Building Bridges Across the River, supported by Wells Fargo and designed to support entrepreneurs east of the Anacostia River.  

Through this initiative, selected business will receive free technical assistance, pro bono legal support, access to capital and reduced rent retail opportunities, all rooted in a shared commitment to strengthen Ward 7 and 8’s business ecosystem. 

About the Opportunity

These are not traditional retail leases. They are part of a retail incubation model designed to support your growth while building a stronger pathway for small retailers in DC. 

If selected, you will receive affordable space and hands-on support.  

This is a partnership, grounded in shared commitment to your business growth. 

What Makes This Opportunity Unique

Seed to Storefront is a retail incubation opportunity, not a traditional lease. Through this partnership, selected businesses will receive below-market retail space paired with hands-on technical assistance, legal support, and cohort-based business training. 

Entrepreneurs will rent space at either the Anacostia Arts Center or The Edmonson, while participating in a structured growth program designed to help build long-term sustainability and wealth. 

This is more than a storefront, it’s a partnership focused on strengthening your business and the Ward 7 and 8 small business ecosystem. 

Expectations For Participation

Participation in Cohort

Engage in cohort meetings and peer learning with fellow participating retailers.

Participation in Technical Assistance

Participate in trainings and coaching to strengthen your business operations and growth.

Escalating Rent Structure

Begin at below-market rent, with gradual increases over time to support long-term sustainability.

Data Sharing

Share select business data confidentially to help guide support and strengthen future retail opportunities.

How to Apply

The Spaces

Anacostia Arts Center

A 350 sq ft, window line retail space housed within a muti-discipline dynamic community building in the heart of Anacostia. Retail space housed alongside arts and culture gallery, co-working space and community center.

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The Edmonson

Newly developed retail opportunities in Anacostia, featuring three prime commercial spaces: a 10,901 sq ft market anchor space with $80,00 in fit out support. In addition, a 4,940 sq ft retail space and a 6,560 sq ft food service space are available. Designed to support vibrant, community-serving businesses, these storefronts offer high-visibility, brick-and-mortar opportunities in a growing corridor.

Learn More

What Does Cohort Participation Mean?

When you join the program, you’ll be a part of a select group of incredible retailers launching into the space together. Cohort participants move through the program at the same time, creating opportunities to learn, collaborate, and grow alongside fellow entrepreneurs. Participants will also receive hands-on advisory support from experts at Booz Allen Hamilton, including guidance on:

  • Retail readiness
  • Financial planning
  • Store operations and space management
  • Business growth strategy

In addition, cohort participants will receive a $5,000 grant to support onboarding into the retail space. 

Program Timeline

We will be hosting a series of info sessions and technical assistance opportunities to help prospective applicants learn more and prepare.

  • March 23 – Application Open (rolling application)
  • April 3 – Info Session & Walking Tour
  • April 8 – Info Session (virtual)
  • April 30 – Application closing
  • End of May/Early June – selected retailers announced
  •  

Application Materials

The application will open on March 23rd. While you won’t be able to submit until then, we encourage interested retailers to begin preparing materials in advance.

Applicants should be prepared to provide:

  • Business Plan
  • 2 Years of Personal and Business Tax Returns*
  • 3 Months of Personal and Business Bank Accounts*
  • Personal Financial Statements
  • Your goals for participating in this retail incubation opportunity
  • Additional Items needed for AAC
    • Business License*
    • Clean Hands*
    • Provide response to Landlord’s Letter Of Intent

*these items are required if the business is currently established. If not, please proceed with the other listed application materials.

Information Sessions and Support Opportunities

We will be hosting a series of info sessions and technical assistance opportunities to help prospective applicants learn more and prepare.

In-Person Info Session and Tour — April 3 [Register Here]

Virtual Program Info Session — April 8 [Register Here]

Legal Info Session on Retail Leases — Coming Soon

Expert Office Hours on Retail Readiness — Coming Soon

Additional sessions and support opportunities will be added. Save the date and stay tuned for updates.

Ready to Grow Your Retail Business? Apply Today.

This application is for small business owners seeking to participate in a structured, program with specific participation requirements. Selected businesses must commit to required trainings, technical assistance, and program activities. Submit your application by April 30!

*applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

Apply Now

Additional Resouces

 

Frequently Asked Questions

DC Residents and DC Based Businesses

Note that non-DC residents or businesses can also lease the Edmonson but will not receive full benefits of the program.

Anacostia Arts Center (AAC): Base Rent is underwritten below market rates to support sustainability and will introduce percentage rent as the term advances. Base Rent includes common area maintenance, real estate taxes, insurance, and utilities. Landlord’s boilerplate LOI will be provided once the application is open and applicants will have an opportunity to provide a response with their submission. 

Edmonson: Rent is intentionally below market rate and follows an escalating structure over the lease term to support sustainability. Each tenant will be charged a gross rent which will include all common area expenses and real estate taxes. The rent amount will be set by the respective landlord at the time of the execution of the letter of intent with the tenant. 

AAC: 3 Year term provided that the tenant satisfies participation requirements.  

The Edmonson: 3-10 Year term provided that the tenant satisfies participation requirements. 

AAC: A subsidiary of the Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. 

The Edmonson: A subsidiary of Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc. 

Ideal businesses for each location  

Anacostia Arts Center: 

  • Neighborhood asset with accessible price points 
  • Complimentary to Art Gallery, Events, and HIVE CoWorking Space 
  • Seeking a permanent location in Anacostia 
  • Non-Food related 

The Edmonson 

  • Food service/casual restaurants 
  • Food hall and market operators 
  • Grocers 
  • Service based businesses (gyms, salons, etc.) 

Interested in owners with a growth mindset—entrepreneurs who are eager to learn, open to feedback, and interested in growing their business in partnership with our nonprofit teams through collaboration, coaching, and cohort-based support.

No, these are structures as retail incubation agreements leases that pair below-market rent with required participation in technical assistance, trainings, and a cohort-based support model.

As non-profits committed to the growth of communities and small businesses, these retail spaces will be different than a typical Landlord/Tenant transactional relationship. We are fully invested in the success of your business. 

Selected retailers will receive ongoing technical assistance, required trainings, participation in a retail cohort (including Booze Allen programming), and hands-on partnership throughout the rental lease term including expectations to share data with BBAR and their respective landlords.

Selected retailers are expected to fully participate in trainings, engage in cohort activities, share select business data (inclusive of financial data like revenues, visitor numbers, etc.) for learning and impact, and operate as committed partners in this model. Full engagement is a requirement of being a tenant in the space and will partially determine long term participation as a tenant.

Full expectations for program participation will be outlined in the MOU and rental lease agreement.

Due to the variances between the spaces, applicants are encouraged to apply for a specific project.

Application will be available on March 23, 2026.

Refer to “What Materials Are Required for Application” section for details.

Email to ask any questions not addressed here, we’re happy to help!

You can also join us at the info sessions scheduled for: